IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Ideal Society (Real Test)

This is an IELTS essay related to the ideal or perfect society from the real IELTS exam.

It’s a very difficult and very odd question.

Consider supporing my efforts to write these essays but signing up for my exclusive IELTS Ebooks here on Patreon.

In some ways it is easy because the topic is so general – society!

But it’s also really hard because thinking of a specific idea for such a big topic is a huge challenge.

My number one piece of advice is to just focus on one small area of society and not try to fix everything. That is too hard in a short essay.

However, you should still say that is the most important element (even if you don’t really bevieve it).

You can read my other sample answers here.

The recent questions from the IELTS writing task 2 exam are here, task 1 is here and the speaking questions and topics are here.

Dave

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: The Ideal/Perfect Society

People have historically attempted to achieve a perfect society. However, it is difficult to decide what a perfect society would be like. What would be the most important element of an ideal society? What can normal people do to make society more perfect?
Real IELTS Essay Society

The best way to improve our society is a topic of understandable concern for all governments and citizens. In my opinion, the key to this is increased tolerance of difference and people can take the individual step of examining their own beliefs in order to not pass ingrained prejudices on to the next generation.

The most momentous shifts in society in the last centuries have involved progress related to tolerance of different types of people. The original pilgrims left England to found new colonies in order to have religious freedom to worship as they wish. Racism and slavery in the 19th century is a direct result of considering one group of people separate. The most recent example is the movement to be more accepting of a variety of sexualities. These have all made society more perfect and their evolution and nascent spread throughout the world will allow the greatest number of people to enjoy a full range of freedom and opportunity.

To achieve the more open society mentioned above, individuals can closely evaluate their beliefs and try to impart more tolerant values to the younger generation. A good example of this can be seen in the embrace of gay marriage by many in the last decade. In the 20th century, it was political suicide to support gay marriage. However, people began to question the rationale for denying this basic human right. Now most schools and parents teach their children about alternative lifestyles and it is much more common to see LGBT couples in popular culture. This is one step towards a utopian, inclusive society free of prejudice.

In conclusion, the movement to accept more diverse elements of society is already underway. With continued effort, it is reasonable to expect a generally positive attitude towards all people in the coming years, though this progressivism will vary widely from country to country.

Word Count: 310

Analysis

1. The best way to improve our society is a topic of understandable concern for all governments and citizens. 2. In my opinion, the key to this is increased tolerance of difference and people can take the individual step of examining their own beliefs in order to not pass ingrained prejudices on to the next generation.

The first sentence of my introduction is just restating the topic – keep it simple!
My second sentence is more important because it contains my opinion. Make your opinion 100% clear!

1. The most momentous shifts in society in the last centuries have involved progress related to tolerance of different types of people. 2. The original pilgrims left England to found new colonies in order to have religious freedom to worship as they wish. 3. Racism and slavery in the 19th century is a direct result of considering one group of people separate. 4. The most recent example is the movement to be more accepting of a variety of sexualities. 5. These have all made society more perfect and their evolution and nascent spread throughout the world will allow the greatest number of people to enjoy a full range of freedom and opportunity.

The first sentence is a topic sentence with my main idea for that paragraph – tolerance.
My second sentence begins my example – don’t waste any time getting to your example.
The third sentence further develops my main idea with a related example.
Next I continue by giving a modern day example.
Finally I conclude the paragraph by saying that tolerance has evolved over time and is the key to a good society.

1. To achieve the more open society mentioned above, individuals can closely evaluate their beliefs and try to impart more tolerant values to the younger generation. 2. A good example of this can be seen in the embrace of gay marriage by many in the last decade. 3. In the 20th century, it was political suicide to support gay marriage. 4. However, people began to question the rationale for denying this basic human right. 5. Now most schools and parents teach their children about alternative lifestyles and it is much more common to see LGBT couples in popular culture. 6. This is one step towards a utopian, inclusive society free of prejudice.

My first sentence is another topic sentence with my new main idea – people can change themselves to be more tolerant.
The second sentence begins my example.
For this paragraph I develop one example fully. In this sentence I give the background related to gay marriage.
My fourth sentence develops my example further.
The fifth sentence also develops the same example – the more you develop, the higher your task achievement score will be!
My fifth sentence concludes how this could have an impact on the perfect society.

1. In conclusion, the movement to accept more diverse elements of society is already underway. 2. With continued effort, it is reasonable to expect a generally positive attitude towards all people in the coming years, though this progressivism will vary widely from country to country.

My conclusion begins by repeating my opinion (and making it completely clear).
The last sentence is an extra related detail that a lot of examiners will look for to give you band 7+ for task achievement.

Vocabulary

The best way to improve our society is a topic of understandable concern for all governments and citizens. In my opinion, the key to this is increased tolerance of difference and people can take the individual step of examining their own beliefs in order to not pass ingrained prejudices on to the next generation.

The most momentous shifts in society in the last centuries have involved progress related to tolerance of different types of people. The original pilgrims left England to found new colonies in order to have religious freedom to worship as they wish. Racism and slavery in the 19th century is a direct result of considering one group of people separate. The most recent example is the movement to be more accepting of a variety of sexualities. These have all made society more perfect and their evolution and nascent spread throughout the world will allow the greatest number of people to enjoy a full range of freedom and opportunity.

To achieve the more open society mentioned above, individuals can closely evaluate their beliefs and try to impart more tolerant values to the younger generation. A good example of this can be seen in the embrace of gay marriage by many in the last decade. In the 20th century, it was political suicide to support gay marriage. However, people began to question the rationale for denying this basic human right. Now most schools and parents teach their children about alternative lifestyles and it is much more common to see LGBT couples in popular culture. This is one step towards a utopian, inclusive society free of prejudice.

In conclusion, the movement to accept more diverse elements of society is already underway. With continued effort, it is reasonable to expect a generally positive attitude towards all people in the coming years, though this progressivism will vary widely from country to country.

Answers

understandable concern: good reason to worry
increased tolerance of difference: inclusiveness
take the individual step of: personally can
examining their own beliefs: being self-critical
pass ingrained prejudices on: breed racist beliefs
momentous shifts: changes in thinking
original pilgrims: first settlers
found new colonies: start new states
religious freedom: ability to worship as you wish
worship: pray to
direct result: main effect
considering: regarding
movement: swell of support for
accepting: allowing for
sexualities: different sexual orientations
more perfect: better
nascent spread: beginning to spread
full range: variety of
open society: inclusive society
closely evaluate: watch intently
impart: teach
tolerant values: allowing for difference
embrace: acceptance
political suicide: ruin your political career
question the rationale: dispute the reasoning
denying this basic human right: not allowing a fundamental right
alternative lifestyles: different ways of living
LGBT couples: lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual
popular culture: movies, tv, books, etc.
one step: one solution
utopian: perfect
inclusive society free of prejudice: ideal society
diverse elements: different parts
already underway: incipient
continued effort: keep going
reasonable: logical
expect: hope for
generally positive attitude: friendly outlook
progressivism: liberalism
vary widely: major differences

Pronunciation

ˌʌndəˈstændəbl kənˈsɜːn
ɪnˈkriːst ˈtɒlərəns ɒv ˈdɪfrəns
teɪk ði ˌɪndɪˈvɪdjʊəl stɛp ɒv
ɪgˈzæmɪnɪŋ ðeər əʊn bɪˈliːfs
pɑːs ɪnˈgreɪnd ˈprɛʤʊdɪsɪz ɒn
məʊˈmɛntəs ʃɪfts
əˈrɪʤənl ˈpɪlgrɪmz
faʊnd njuː ˈkɒləniz
rɪˈlɪʤəs ˈfriːdəm
ˈwɜːʃɪp
dɪˈrɛkt rɪˈzʌlt
kənˈsɪdərɪŋ
ˈmuːvmənt
əkˈsɛptɪŋ
ˌsɛkʃʊˈælətiz
mɔː ˈpɜːfɪkt
ˈnæsnt sprɛd
fʊl reɪnʤ
ˈəʊpən səˈsaɪəti
ˈkləʊsli ɪˈvæljʊeɪt
ɪmˈpɑːt
ˈtɒlərənt ˈvæljuːz
ɪmˈbreɪs
pəˈlɪtɪkəl ˈsjʊɪsaɪd
ˈkwɛsʧən ðə ˌræʃəˈnɑːl
dɪˈnaɪɪŋ ðɪs ˈbeɪsɪk ˈhjuːmən raɪt
ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪv ˈlaɪfˌstaɪlz
ɛl-ʤiː-biː-tiː ˈkʌplz
ˈpɒpjʊlə ˈkʌlʧə
wʌn stɛp
juːˈtəʊpjən
ɪnˈkluːsɪv səˈsaɪəti friː ɒv ˈprɛʤʊdɪs
daɪˈvɜːs ˈɛlɪmənts
ɔːlˈrɛdi ˌʌndəˈweɪ
kənˈtɪnju(ː)d ˈɛfət
ˈriːznəbl
ɪksˈpɛkt
ˈʤɛnərəli ˈpɒzətɪv ˈætɪtjuːd
prəʊˈgrɛsɪvɪz(ə)m
ˈveəri ˈwaɪdli